In times such as these, when we feel as if the world as we’ve defined it is breaking apart, we want to cling to something—or someone(s). The leader of the free world, the pope, or a doctor are the people to look for reassurance, inspiration, and answers. But it’s not their job to make us feel okay. It never was. Yes Dorothy, the illusion that we all must address at some point in our lives is that others have more power or wisdom than we do—they don’t. You alone, and uniquely, are fully equipped for this ride. Therefore, we fix…
Posts Tagged‘powerlessness’
The Spiritual Purpose of Empathy–PART 2
Empathy is one practice of an awakening being. When others suffer and we align without judgement or anger, we move into a deeper understanding of the universe and our relationships. We are living and functioning at a different level than when we were angry and unconscious. We feel freer, more peaceful, and less reactive in our relationships. Yet the practice of empathy teaches us something difficult. There are people in pain everywhere and we are almost drawn to them. The universal desire to empathize with others as you recognize suffering in them is designed to help you discover and resolve your own pain. Every emotion (or tiny urge to help) you…
Anger Management is Not Just for Charlie Sheen and Me…
Hey Dana, I’ve become aware that I am angry all the time. I am upset to discover this about myself. What is anger in the spiritual world? ANSWER: First of all, thank you for submitting a question! Really good question, too! Know this, anger management is not just for Charlie Sheen and me. The whole world is in anger mode right now—it’s hard not to be angry. The good news is that you are aware of your emotional state. Ironically, most angry people, are not aware that they are angry. Being aware of our anger means that we are awakening. Now would be a…
Young Grasshopper…
Okay so you get the gist of the picture, right? Couple running, caution sign. This is only because I could not find a sign that said, “Caution cute running couple, there’s a meteor the size of Jupiter about to land on you.” I think this is where many of my relationships were headed many days, too. Without doubt, the most common question I answer goes something like this: “How do I change my ____?” You can fill in the blank with husband, wife, children, co-workers, etc…. Okay, you get it. The second most common thing I hear is, “I am unhappy.” I then…
Transcend Your Story
So we left off last week with the big idea that we are to do nothing unless we know that what we are doing is causing no harm to ourselves or others. This “doing nothing” is the practice that leads to transcendence from the state we are in now. The practice of doing nothing—allowing yourself space and time to know again—honors you and everyone in your world because it is based on karmic neutrality. Karmic neutrality is the idea that I am making the highest choice for myself and for everyone. I am not hurting or alienating to get my needs…
Ground Zero
In September 2001, I was 37 and married with two children—both girls, a six-year-old and a two-year-old. We lived at parks, swimming pools, and, when it was too hot, the kids section of the Barnes and Noble. I was busy creating a grand life for some lucky kids who were going to get the childhood they deserved (I hope you hear some absurdity here). The morning of 9/11, I had just returned from dropping off the children at school and was stepping out of the shower when I saw that the first WTC had a substantial hole in it. By 10…